A young man from Tamil Nadu's Coimbatore district has tragically died in a Cambodian hospital, days after being rescued from illegal confinement by cybercrime syndicates. The 22-year-old, identified as D Nandakumar, passed away on Wednesday night after failing to respond to medical treatment.
Rescue Came Too Late for Critically Ill Youth
D Nandakumar, a resident of LIC Colony in Selvapuram, Coimbatore, breathed his last around 11 pm on Wednesday. His death came just hours after officials from the Indian Embassy in Cambodia managed to secure his release from a room where he was held prisoner. The embassy acted swiftly after receiving an alert from Nandakumar's mother, D Geetha, who informed them of her son's desperate situation and captivity.
A Mother's Harrowing Account of Captivity and Extortion
Speaking to the media, Geetha revealed the horrifying ordeal her son endured. Nandakumar had been working at a hotel in Cambodia for about a year before his life took a dark turn. Approximately six weeks ago, he was allegedly forced by cyber fraudsters to join their illegal call centre operation.
When the young man refused to participate in their fraudulent activities, the gang retaliated brutally. They confiscated his passport, locked him in a room, and even withheld food from him. "As he refused to involve himself in any cybercrime activities, they didn’t even give him anything to eat. My son became sick and informed us of his plight over the phone," Geetha stated, detailing the illegal confinement that lasted for about a month.
On Thursday, the grieving mother petitioned the Coimbatore District Collector, seeking assistance to bring her son's body back to India. In a shocking revelation, she alleged that embassy officials initially quoted a staggering Rs 7 lakh for repatriation costs, later reducing the amount to Rs 3.5 lakh. District administration officials have assured her they will take the necessary steps to facilitate the return of Nandakumar's remains.
Family's Sole Breadwinner Lost
The tragedy has left the family devastated and financially vulnerable. Geetha, who works as a domestic helper, stated that her son was the primary earner for the household. Nandakumar, who had completed his Class X education, initially worked at a hotel in Coimbatore before moving to Cambodia in search of better opportunities, a journey that ended in unimaginable tragedy.
This incident highlights the perils faced by Indian youths seeking employment in certain foreign countries, where they can fall prey to sophisticated human trafficking and cyber fraud networks. The case has raised serious questions about the mechanisms to protect citizens abroad and the support provided to families in distress.
